Mailbag - April 11, 2002
Let’s create five districts in Huntington Beach
I am definitely for the city being divided into five districts.
LAWRENCE BARNARD
Huntington Beach
Five districts would be divisive
Regarding this proposal of slicing Huntington Beach into five
districts. Is this the same Scott Baugh who tried to rig an election?
Don’t trust him. And not only that, if you want trouble, boy are you
going to get it with divvying up the city like this. There are too many
cultures in this city and it’s best to leave things alone until we learn
how to get along and live with one another.
PAUL FONTES
Huntington Beach
Districting would be a disaster
Former Assemblyman Scott Baugh has proposed an initiative thatwould
divide Huntington Beach into five districts and pare down the City
Council from seven to five members. This is a bad idea for many reasons.
It is, first, a cynical attempt to divide and conquer the community
interests that have elected a moderate local government dedicated to
maintaining our quality of life through a balance of economic progress
and environmental protection.
Secondly, it is an attempt to make it easier to reclaim a majority on
the City Council (some would say “buy”) for alleged pro-business and
development interests.
Nevermind that this could return us to the corrupt and incompetent
“bad old days” when the needs and concerns of the community took a back
seat to the special interests that only cared about power and profits.
Districting could deny the best qualified and most committed citywide
candidates from serving on the council while setting up “turf warfare”
that would pit the interests of one district against the needs and
concerns of another.
Huntington Beach is neither large enough (like L.A.) nor small enough
(like Seal Beach) for districting to work. Anaheim voters rejected
dividing their city into five districts in the 1990s because they
realized the concept’s inequities and shortcomings. So should Huntington
Beach citizens.
If Baugh is truly interested in good government for our city, he
should drop his plans to pursue this divisive initiative.
TIM GEDDES
Huntington Beach
Five districts, seven council members
How to vote over the Huntington Beach districting proposal is going to
be a tough decision. In reviewing the pros and cons, there are numerous
supportive arguments for each position. Districting would provide for
more opportunity for individuals to run for City Council and reduce
campaign costs, as well as allow individuals in their respective
districts greater success in developing a grass-roots support group. It
would also facilitate greater accountability to local citizens, and
assure their needs be addressed at City Hall.
On the flip side, districting could cause greater dissension among the
council, and greater difficulties in coming to consensus. It could
compromise future decisions for the greater good of the whole city. It
could also contribute to favor-switching and compromising votes in order
to achieve what one council person wants for the specific district.
The reduction to five council members is a separate issue in the
initiative.
It is of concern that three people would make major decisions for a
city the size of Huntington Beach, when historically the number has been
four of seven.
A secondary issue not mentioned previously, is the fact that council
members serve as liaisons to numerous committees in the city and the
county. This would impact the quality of representation in these
committees and community meetings, as well as reduce the viability of
candidates who work a full-time job. The idea of government is that
citizens like you and I, are the people who represent us.
A suggestion that seems to have been overlooked, is the continuance of
seven council members; five district council members and two at-large
council members. This would have allowed for more continuity, as well as
an infusion of change that deserves thought and merit.
The public comments and review of the written initiative will
hopefully clear up some of these concerns.
DIANE LENNING
Huntington Beach
Let’s go on River Park and college bond
I’m rather late on this opinion, but I am definitely for Huntington
Beach joining the link to create the Orange Coast River Park.
And for this week’s question, I am also in favor of the $344-million
bond for our college improvements.
DIANE STELLEY
Huntington Beach
Development is ruining the city
I’m calling in regards to your column on Pacific City, cute name. I’ve
lived in Huntington Beach almost all my life I’m 68 and I loved
Huntington Beach the way it used to be.
Yes, I was against the Waterfront Hilton -- hate it, hate it, hate it
-- been there twice since it opened.
I hate the Hyatt. I hate all the development, it’s ruined the city. We
lost our small town. I liked Maxwell’s, the Golden Bear, you’ve only been
here two years you have no idea what this city used to be like.
I’d rather pay more property taxes and have this city be the small and
wonderful and quaint like it used to be . It’s too small to be like Long
Beach. We’re just jamming everything in. This city won’t be happy until
they develop every piece of sand, dirt that there is.
My kids used to ride their horse down where Seacliff is now. They’ve
taken all the charm, I’m hating it, and I’m ready to leave. Again, I’d
rather pay more property taxes and have it be the town it used to be.
CONNIE TUTTLE
Huntington Beach
Cartoon missed the mark by a mile
The cartoon (Community Forum, April 4) showing three birds reading an
eviction notice on the Bolsa Chica mesa was the antithesis of what a
political cartoon should be.
In other words, it was neither funny nor timely.
Perhaps your cartoonist should at least read the paper he works for
and attempt to keep abreast of current events.
Random potshots at individuals like Lucy Dunn, while a staple of the
Independent’s editorial policy, serve no purpose other than to corrupt
when the information, no matter how “satirical,” has no basis in truth.
DOUGLAS PRINSARA
Huntington Beach
Editor’s note: The cartoon was in response to a news item in the March
28 edition regarding the lawsuit Hearthside Homes is pursuing against the
Coastal Commission.
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